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Chinese Traveller Turned Back at Ghana-Burkina Faso Border After Visa Dispute

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

A Chinese traveller’s frustrating experience at the Ghana-Burkina Faso border has triggered an important conversation about Ghana’s visa system, conflicting travel information and the need for foreign visitors to verify entry requirements before setting out.

The traveller, who shared her experience in a series of videos circulating online, said she had been looking forward to visiting Ghana after previously being informed that she could obtain a visa on arrival at the land border.

But when she arrived at the Ghana-Burkina Faso border, she said an immigration official informed her that she needed a visa before entering Ghana.

She described herself as “speechless” and questioned why she had earlier been given different information.

According to the account accompanying her videos, she had contacted the Ghana Embassy in Benin before travelling and said she was told that she could obtain a visa on arrival at the land border. She later received another response directing her to apply for an e-visa, forcing her to return to Burkina Faso.

Ghana’s official rules provide an important piece of the puzzle

Ghana’s immigration rules do provide for visas to be issued at entry points in certain circumstances. However, visa on arrival is not automatically available to every foreign traveller who reaches a Ghanaian border without a visa.

The Ghana Immigration Service explains that emergency entry visas or visas on arrival may be granted to people who arrive without a visa, but such applications are subject to conditions. In particular, emergency visas for travellers arriving from countries where Ghana has no diplomatic or consular representation must be authorised in advance by the Director of the Immigration Service through a Ghanaian sponsor. 

The Ghana Embassy in Burkina Faso similarly states that an emergency visa may be issued on arrival to travellers from countries where there is no Ghanaian diplomatic or consular representation, but the application must be authorised in advance by the Ghana Immigration Service through a sponsor. 

That distinction is critical.

Chinese ordinary passport holders are not generally visa-exempt

Ghana’s published visa information lists China under the visa-exempt category only for holders of diplomatic and service passports, not ordinary Chinese passports. Ordinary visitors therefore need to comply with Ghana’s applicable visa requirements before entry. 

The Chinese government’s current list of mutual visa-exemption agreements also shows that the Ghana-China arrangement covers diplomatic and service passports, rather than ordinary Chinese passports. 

This means the traveller’s experience should not be interpreted as Ghana suddenly refusing Chinese tourists entry. Rather, it highlights the difference between being eligible to apply for a visa on arrival under exceptional circumstances and having an automatic right to receive one at the border.

Ghana has also changed its visa system

There is another important development travellers need to understand.

Ghana launched a new electronic visa system in 2026. The Ghana Embassy in Beijing says the new e-visa regime replaced manual visa procedures and is designed to make applications more efficient while strengthening border-security checks. 

The Ghana Immigration Service continues to state that a visa is not itself a guarantee of admission. Entry remains subject to immigration checks and fulfilment of the applicable conditions at the point of entry. 

For travellers, that means the safest approach is no longer to depend on an informal understanding that “you can get the visa at the border.”

A lesson for Ghana and for travellers

There are two sides to this story.

Travellers have a responsibility to verify their entry requirements before beginning a cross-border journey.

But immigration authorities and diplomatic missions also have a responsibility to provide clear, consistent and accessible information.

Imagine travelling hundreds of kilometres based on information received from an official channel, only to arrive at the border and discover that the requirement is different from what you understood.

That is precisely the kind of situation that can damage a country’s reputation among tourists, investors and other international visitors.

Ghana has invested heavily in presenting itself as an open, digitally connected destination. The introduction of the e-visa platform is supposed to make travelling to the country easier, not more confusing. 

What foreign travellers should do before travelling to Ghana

For anyone travelling to Ghana on an ordinary foreign passport, especially by land, the safest approach is straightforward:

1. Check Ghana Immigration Service requirements before departure.

2. Determine whether your passport is visa-exempt.

3. If a visa is required, apply through the official e-visa system where applicable.

4. Do not assume that “visa on arrival” means you can simply arrive at the border and receive one.

5. If an embassy or official tells you that you qualify for an exception, request clear written confirmation and, where required, confirmation that the necessary authorisation has been issued before travelling.

6. Keep copies of your correspondence, visa approval and supporting documents while travelling.

This is particularly important for travellers entering Ghana through land borders, where a misunderstanding can leave someone stranded on the other side.

The bigger question

The Chinese traveller’s video should therefore not simply become another social-media argument about whether Ghana “welcomes foreigners.”

There is a more useful question:

Are Ghana’s visa rules being communicated clearly enough to international travellers before they begin their journeys?

Ghana’s official documentation shows that visa-on-arrival arrangements exist under specific conditions, while ordinary Chinese passport holders generally require a visa. 

At the same time, the traveller says she received information that led her to believe she could obtain the visa at the land border.

That gap between what a traveller understands and what the border requires is exactly what needs to be addressed.

Ghana wants more tourism, more international business and greater connectivity with the rest of the world.

That begins at the border.

Clear rules. Consistent information. Efficient implementation.

Because for a visitor standing at Ghana’s border after a long journey, confusion is not a minor inconvenience — it can determine whether the journey continues at all.

GhanaMedia.net has verified the applicable Ghanaian visa requirements against official Ghana Immigration Service and Ghana diplomatic sources. The traveller’s account of the specific interaction at the border is presented as her allegation/account; GhanaMedia.net has not independently established what information was communicated to her by the Ghanaian mission before her journey.

Nigerian 18-Year-Old Sparks Debate After Saying Christianity “Aged” Her Before Becoming an Atheist

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

An 18-year-old Nigerian woman has sparked a major conversation online after sharing photographs comparing herself at age 15 with her appearance at 18, alongside a declaration that she has left Christianity and now identifies as an atheist.

The young woman, who uses the name Ogbanjésokawaii (@DUkauwa94288) on X, posted the comparison and reflected on her earlier years as a Christian.

Her post began with the words:

“Omo I suffer that year, Christianity really be aging you.”

She then added that she was 15 in the earlier photograph and 18 in the more recent one, describing herself as an atheist.

The post quickly travelled across social media, generating thousands of reactions and a heated debate over Christianity, personal identity, religious upbringing and the way young people experience faith. Independent coverage by Legit.ng and Linda Ikeji’s Blog confirms the post, the woman’s stated ages and her declaration that she had left Christianity. 

But what does the transformation actually prove?

This is where the conversation deserves more maturity.

The photographs show that the woman looks different at 15 and 18. That part is obvious. But a photograph cannot establish that Christianity caused the physical changes between those ages.

People naturally change considerably between 15 and 18. Facial structure, hairstyle, makeup, clothing, weight, skin, environment and personal expression can all change during adolescence and early adulthood.

Indeed, the reports covering the post have treated the claim that Christianity was responsible for the change as her personal interpretation, rather than an established fact. 

That distinction matters.

The bigger issue is not her appearance

The more important part of her post is not whether she looks “better” or “worse” in either photograph.

It is that she says her experience of Christianity was difficult enough for her to eventually abandon the faith.

That raises questions that deserve more serious discussion:

What happened to her during those years?

What did she experience in her religious environment?

Did she feel pressured, judged, restricted or misunderstood?

Was her decision based on intellectual questions, personal experiences, disappointment with religious institutions, or simply a change in worldview?

Those questions cannot be answered from two photographs or a short social-media post.

And that is precisely why the public conversation should go beyond mocking her appearance or attacking her for becoming an atheist.

Christians should listen — not only react

For Christians, the viral post can easily feel insulting.

The phrase “Christianity really be aging you” has understandably triggered defensive reactions, with some social-media users arguing that religion cannot be blamed for someone’s appearance. Others have criticised the young woman for what they consider disrespect toward Christianity. The reactions have themselves become part of the viral discussion. 

But there is an important lesson here.

A young person leaving Christianity should not automatically be treated as an enemy of Christianity.

People can question a faith, leave a religion, return to it, explore another belief system or identify as non-religious. Those decisions can be deeply personal.

At the same time, someone else’s decision to become an atheist does not invalidate the faith of millions of Christians.

Both things can be true.

And atheists should also resist turning one story into a universal argument

The opposite extreme is equally problematic.

One person’s experience does not prove that Christianity is harmful to everyone.

Millions of people describe Christianity as a source of community, meaning, hope, moral guidance and personal transformation. Others have had painful experiences within religious communities. Both realities exist.

Therefore, this young woman’s story should be understood as one person’s experience, not scientific evidence that Christianity makes people look older or a universal indictment of the Christian faith.

The responsibility of churches

There is, however, a legitimate question for churches and Christian families.

Young people are asking difficult questions about faith, sexuality, identity, science, morality, suffering and the existence of God. Simply telling them to “pray about it” or condemning every difficult question may not always be enough.

Young Christians need spaces where they can ask uncomfortable questions without being humiliated.

They need adults who can distinguish between doubt and rebellion.

They need religious leaders who can acknowledge mistakes.

And they need to understand that faith that cannot survive honest questions may eventually lose young people who are searching for honest answers.

The responsibility of the young person

There is also responsibility on the other side.

Leaving a religion is a serious personal decision. It should ideally involve reflection rather than simply following whatever happens to be trending online.

The same applies to remaining religious.

A person should not believe something merely because family, friends or social media demand it.

Faith should be examined. Doubt should be examined. Atheism should be examined.

People deserve the freedom to arrive at conclusions thoughtfully.

What GhanaMedia.net can learn from the conversation

This story is bigger than one Nigerian teenager’s photographs.

It is about how quickly social media can turn a deeply personal statement into a battle between opposing camps.

One side sees an attack on Christianity.

Another sees a young person celebrating freedom from a belief system.

Others are simply debating her appearance.

But underneath all of that is a young person saying that her experience of religion was difficult and that she has chosen a different worldview.

That deserves neither automatic applause nor automatic condemnation.

It deserves conversation.

Most importantly, people should not use her photographs to claim that Christianity made her physically age, because the available evidence does not establish that.

What is verified is much simpler: she said she was 15 in the first photograph, 18 in the second, and that she had become an atheist after leaving Christianity. Her post subsequently generated widespread online discussion. 

The rest is a matter for thoughtful debate.

Kwasi Pratt Jnr: ‘I Would Have Said It Was an NDC Branch Chairman and Not the Chief Justice’

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

Kwasi Pratt Reacts to Chief Justice Video: “Jesus, We Are Doomed”

Veteran journalist and political commentator Kwasi Pratt Jnr. has reacted strongly to a video involving Ghana’s Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, saying he initially misunderstood the person in the recording.

According to Pratt, had he only listened to the audio without watching the accompanying video, he would have assumed the person speaking was an NDC branch chairman rather than the Chief Justice of Ghana.

“If I had only listened to the audio without watching the video, I would have said it was an NDC Branch Chairman and not the Chief Justice of Ghana.”

Pratt said it was only after watching the video that he realised who was involved, prompting his shocked reaction.

“When I saw him the video, I shouted ‘Jesus, we are doomed’.”

The comments have generated discussion online, particularly over the conduct and public image of Ghana’s highest judicial office.

Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie is the current Chief Justice of Ghana. In recent public engagements, he has repeatedly stressed the importance of judicial independence, integrity, professionalism and public confidence in the justice system. 

In January 2026, for example, the Chief Justice urged judges to remain firm in the face of pressure and determine cases strictly according to the law and evidence. He said judicial independence requires the courage to decide matters without being influenced by public opinion or persons in positions of authority. 

The Judiciary has also outlined reforms aimed at improving efficiency, including expanded court sittings, specialised courts, revised court rules and measures to strengthen access to justice. 

Pratt’s latest remarks, however, focus less on those institutional reforms and more on his reaction to the conduct seen in the circulating video.

GhanaMedia.net could not independently locate the original full recording or a transcript of the underlying incident through publicly indexed sources at the time of publication. The quotation above is therefore presented as attributed to Pratt in the Ghana Today material supplied for this report, rather than as an independently verified transcript.

The comments are likely to fuel further public debate about the Judiciary, political perceptions of judicial conduct and the standards expected from holders of Ghana’s highest constitutional offices.

Alice Weidel’s 100-Day Migration Pledge Resurfaces as Germany Debate Intensifies

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

A statement attributed to German politician Alice Weidel, promising sweeping changes to Germany’s migration policy within the first 100 days of an AfD-led government, is circulating widely online.

The viral post claims Weidel said she would close Germany’s borders, eliminate social benefits for migrants and carry out the country’s largest deportation programme.

GhanaMedia.net’s review found that the wording circulating online is not an exact transcript of the speech, but it closely reflects migration proposals Weidel made at the AfD’s federal party convention in Riesa on January 11, 2025.

What Weidel actually said

During her speech after being selected as the AfD’s candidate for chancellor, Weidel said an AfD government would pursue a series of measures during its first 100 days in office.

According to contemporary reports and a transcript of the speech, she said the party would seek to close Germany’s borders comprehensively and reject people entering illegally or without documentation. She also said asylum applicants’ support should be changed from cash to benefits in kind and that social benefits for people without a right to remain should be withdrawn. 

Weidel also said the party would pursue large-scale returns and explicitly embraced the term “remigration” in describing its proposed policy. 

The wording in the viral graphic — particularly the claim that she would “eliminate social benefits for migrants” and conduct “Germany’s largest deportations” — therefore appears to be a condensed English-language rendering of her broader proposals rather than a verbatim quotation.

The AfD’s migration position

Migration has remained one of the AfD’s central political issues.

The party has advocated substantially tighter border controls, restrictions on benefits for certain non-German residents and expanded deportation measures. Its regional programmes also continue to call for the rejection of migrants without a right to remain and changes to the way social assistance is provided to asylum seekers. 

Weidel’s 2025 Riesa speech went beyond immigration policy. She also called for major changes to Germany’s energy policy and said the AfD would reverse policies involving renewable energy and nuclear power. 

Viral claim needs context

The graphic currently circulating online presents the three migration measures as though they were a newly issued statement.

They are not new. The underlying proposals date back to Weidel’s January 2025 campaign speech.

The wording has nevertheless resurfaced online, generating renewed discussion about the AfD’s approach to migration and what an AfD-led government would seek to implement.

It is also important to distinguish between political pledges and actual government policy. Implementing such measures would depend on Germany’s constitutional framework, legislation, European Union rules and parliamentary majorities.

As of the current circulation of the claim, the evidence reviewed by GhanaMedia.net supports the substance of Weidel’s 2025 migration proposals but not the viral graphic’s wording as a verbatim quote.

Dainess Chef School Champions Ghanaian Culinary Innovation at 3rd Annual Expo

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

Dainess Chef School has hosted the third edition of its annual Culinary Expo, bringing together chefs, hospitality professionals, culinary students, food entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders to explore how Ghanaian cuisine can be reimagined through modern techniques while preserving its cultural identity.

Held at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in Accra under the theme “Culinary Innovations: A Ghanaian Perspective,” the expo featured practical demonstrations, industry discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on technical excellence, creativity and innovation in Ghanaian cuisine.

The annual event forms part of Dainess Chef School’s efforts to develop culinary talent and create opportunities for professionals and aspiring chefs to strengthen their technical skills, exchange ideas and explore new possibilities for Ghanaian food.

‘We have the ingredients, talent and heritage’

Principal and Co-Founder of Dainess Chef School and Executive Director of Dainess Foods, Pamela Sarkodee, described the expo as a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative aimed at contributing to Ghana’s wider culinary ecosystem.

She said Ghana already possesses the ingredients, talent and heritage needed to compete internationally but requires stronger infrastructure for culinary innovation, including training, industry networks, policy support and greater exposure.

According to Ms Sarkodee, the objective is not to replace Ghanaian culinary traditions with foreign cuisine but to develop new ways of presenting indigenous ingredients and dishes.

“Culinary innovation, from a Ghanaian perspective, is not the wholesale adoption of foreign cuisine.”

She said innovation should involve the “intelligent, respectful, and creative reinterpretation” of Ghanaian grains, tubers, spices, leafy greens, seafood, fruits and other elements of the country’s culinary heritage.

Traditional ingredients meet modern techniques

The expo demonstrated how familiar Ghanaian ingredients can be transformed through contemporary culinary techniques.

Among the demonstrations were the transformation of plantain using gelification techniques and the production of boba pearls from cassava flour.

General Manager of Dainess Chef School, Frank Antwi, said culinary education must extend beyond learning recipes.

He identified food safety, nutrition, food science, presentation, costing, technology and customer expectations as important areas that modern chefs need to understand.

Mr Antwi also highlighted molecular gastronomy as one avenue through which chefs can explore changes in texture, temperature, aroma, appearance and presentation while maintaining the identity of Ghanaian cuisine.

Call for stronger professional standards

The expo also placed emphasis on professional standards and certification within Ghana’s culinary industry.

President of the Hospitality Alliance of Ghana and chef, Joseph Wilson Tetteh, called for stronger professional certification for chefs, minimum standards for culinary training institutions and closer collaboration between training institutions and industry.

He noted that inadequate equipment and inconsistent training standards remain challenges in parts of the sector and advocated structured practical training alongside classroom education.

Chef Wilson also encouraged commercial kitchens to adopt standard operating procedures to ensure consistency in recipes, taste and service.

Food as Ghana’s cultural ambassador

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Eunice Martey Anakwah said Ghana’s culinary sector has significant potential to contribute to tourism promotion and cultural diplomacy.

She described food as Ghana’s “most delicious culture ambassador”, pointing to dishes such as jollof and kelewele as well as locally produced chocolate as vehicles for communicating Ghanaian culture to international audiences.

She said presenting traditional foods to international standards could help strengthen Ghana’s tourism offering and promote the country beyond its borders.

Ms Anakwah further stressed the importance of continuous training and retraining to ensure that Ghanaian culinary products and services meet the expectations of international visitors and consumers.

Chocolate, content creation and culinary storytelling

The expo also featured a chocolate demonstration by Shirley Temeng, Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate Mall.

She introduced participants to aspects of chocolate production and its applications in baking, confectionery and other culinary processes, while highlighting the importance of understanding chocolate composition and percentages when selecting products for specific applications.

The session also drew attention to opportunities for greater local value addition to Ghana’s cocoa.

Other demonstrations were delivered by culinary professionals and organisations including the Chefs Association of Ghana, White Restaurant, Alisa Hotel, Dainess Chef School and Chocolate Mall.

A session by Chef Abbys, titled “From Content Creation to Global Recognition,” explored how culinary professionals can use storytelling, creativity and digital platforms to build audiences and promote Ghanaian cuisine internationally.

Building Ghana’s culinary talent pipeline

The third Culinary Expo was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana Tourism Authority, Chefs Association of Ghana, Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), and Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

Dainess Chef School said the expo reinforces its commitment to nurturing culinary talent, promoting innovation, strengthening professional standards and creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing across Ghana’s hospitality and culinary industry.

Established in 2018, Dainess Chef School says it was created to provide advanced professional culinary education in Ghana. Its programmes combine practical training with professional instruction, food safety, creativity and real-world kitchen experience to prepare students for careers in the food and hospitality industry.

Government Mobilises Resources to Clear Jamestown Waste, Plans Major Sanitation Overhaul

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

The government is mobilising state and private-sector resources to tackle the mounting waste crisis at Jamestown in Accra, with a technical assessment now underway to determine the scale and requirements of a major evacuation exercise.

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga disclosed this on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during a media briefing at the Jamestown Waste Transfer Station.

The briefing formed part of a three-day assessment of Ghana’s waste management system, which included visits to the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP), Jamestown and Achimota Waste Transfer Stations, Kpone Landfill and the Adipa Engineered Landfill at Nsawam. 

Government assessing exact scale of Jamestown waste

Mr Ayariga said the immediate priority was to establish the actual volume of waste accumulated at Jamestown before determining the resources required for its removal.

“We see this from afar. We drive by, we really have no sense of the enormity of the challenge.”

Technical teams from Zoomlion Ghana Limited are deploying drones to survey the site and estimate the volume of waste. The information will be used to determine the number of trucks, trips and the likely duration of the evacuation. 

The Minister said the operation would be based on technical data rather than estimates, allowing contractors to commit to specific evacuation targets.

State and private equipment to be mobilised

Government plans to bring together the Ministries of Local Government, Roads and Highways, Defence, Finance and Environment to mobilise resources for the exercise.

Contractors across the Greater Accra, Eastern and Central regions are also expected to provide trucks, excavators, bulldozers and loaders, particularly equipment that may currently be idle at construction sites.

According to Mr Ayariga, the state already has more than 100 trucks and several pieces of heavy machinery that can be complemented by private-sector resources.

The government also intends to approach mining companies and major industries to support the operation through their corporate social responsibility programmes.

Rather than seeking cash donations, companies could deploy their own equipment or engage contractors to remove agreed quantities of waste. 

Adipa landfill identified as possible destination

The intervention follows Wednesday’s announcement that accumulated waste from Jamestown could be transported to the Adipa Engineered Landfill at Nsawam, which has substantial remaining capacity.

However, Mr Ayariga stressed that clearing the waste would only address the immediate problem.

He said government must also tackle the underlying causes of waste accumulation, improve community organisation and overhaul the country’s waste management system to prevent the situation from recurring.

Plans to redevelop Jamestown

The Minister also outlined plans to redevelop the Jamestown area after the waste is cleared.

He said the redevelopment would seek to avoid displacing residents, with proposals including low-cost and high-rise housing, improved roads, sanitation facilities and other basic infrastructure.

The objective, he said, would be to improve living conditions while allowing residents to remain close to their livelihoods.

Wider waste management reforms

The Jamestown intervention forms part of a broader government review of Ghana’s waste management chain.

Mr Ayariga previously identified gaps in waste collection, transportation, treatment, recycling and final disposal during his September 1 tour of waste management facilities. 

He has also called for stronger waste separation at household level, better positioning of transfer and treatment facilities, and a more efficient system that could reduce the cost of waste management for households. 

The Minister has further backed the polluter-pays principle, under which individuals and properties generating waste would contribute fairly toward its management.

He said government intends to ensure that funds mobilised for waste management are used transparently and efficiently. 

The Defence Ministry has already formed a support team, while further decisions are expected following President John Dramani Mahama’s return from international engagements.

For now, the exact volume of waste at Jamestown and the timetable for its removal remain subject to the ongoing technical assessment.

Mr Ayariga nevertheless said government was determined to mobilise national capacity and work with public and private-sector partners to confront the sanitation challenge.

He also urged the public to support the national sanitation agenda by participating in the first-Saturday clean-up exercise and maintaining cleaner surroundings throughout the year.

NewsGhana Added to Global Project Oasis Media Directory

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

NewsGhana has been added to the Global Project Oasis Media Directory, a research initiative led by SembraMedia that maps independent digital media organisations around the world.

Project Oasis describes itself as a global research project focused on independent digital media, with its directory containing more than 3,000 media profiles across dozens of countries.

According to the information provided in the NewsGhana profile, the organisation is a digital-only publisher founded in 2015 and based in Accra. The profile identifies it as a for-profit organisation with a team comprising seven full-time employees, three part-time employees and six freelance contributors.

The profile says NewsGhana covers a broad range of subjects, including politics, business, health, education, technology, sports and human rights.

Its listed journalism formats include breaking news, explanatory reporting, investigative work and opinion pieces, reflecting a general-interest approach to digital journalism.

Inclusion in Project Oasis

Project Oasis says media organisations included in its directory are assessed against criteria designed to identify digital-native outlets that produce original content serving the public interest while operating with editorial independence and transparency.

The project also notes that information in individual profiles may be supplied directly by the media organisations and recommends that important details be verified with the organisation concerned.

A Growing African Media Directory

Project Oasis has been expanding its research into Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Morocco.

The initiative’s broader objective is to improve understanding of independent digital media, their business models, challenges and contribution to the public interest.

For NewsGhana, the addition provides an international profile of the organisation’s digital operations, editorial coverage and audience reach while placing it within a growing global database of independent digital publishers.

Clarification: Project Oasis is led by SembraMedia and supported by the Google News Initiative. Being listed in the Project Oasis directory should not, by itself, be described as NewsGhana being a direct Google News Initiative partner or member.

Bureau of Ghana Languages Rejects Calls to Make Akan Ghana’s Official Language

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

The Bureau of Ghana Languages (BGL) has rejected calls for Ghana to adopt a single indigenous language as the country’s national language, with its Executive Secretary, Ebenezer Ahiator, arguing that elevating one local language could create tensions among speakers of Ghana’s many indigenous languages. 

Mr Ahiator reportedly made the position known when he appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Chieftaincy, Culture and Religious Affairs, where the issue of Ghana’s language policy came under discussion. 

The development comes amid renewed debate over whether Ghana should give greater national status to an indigenous language, particularly Akan, which is widely spoken across the country.

BGL cautions against choosing one indigenous language

According to reports from the parliamentary engagement, Mr Ahiator said Ghana should not select one indigenous language as a national language because speakers of other Ghanaian languages could feel marginalised.

A social-media graphic circulating from Ghana Today attributes the stronger wording, “We will not recognize Akan as Ghana’s official language,” to Mr Ahiator.

However, the more directly reported position is that the Bureau opposes adopting one indigenous language as a national language. GhanaMedia.net has therefore treated the wording in the graphic as an attributed statement rather than presenting it as a formal declaration that Akan has been specifically rejected as an official language.

Why Akan is at the centre of the debate

Akan is among Ghana’s most widely spoken indigenous languages and is used extensively in homes, markets, broadcasting and everyday communication.

The Bureau of Ghana Languages supports several Ghanaian languages for public information and educational purposes. Research on Ghana’s language landscape identifies Akan, Ewe, Dangme, Ga, Nzema, Dagaare, Gonja, Kasem and Dagbani among the government-supported languages. 

The debate, therefore, is not simply about whether Akan is widely spoken. It is about whether one indigenous language should receive a status that distinguishes it from the country’s other languages.

English remains dominant

English continues to occupy the central position in Ghana’s official and administrative life. Academic research on Ghana’s language policy describes English as the country’s official language while noting the government-supported status of several indigenous languages. 

The question of an indigenous national language has nevertheless persisted for decades.

A major concern is Ghana’s considerable linguistic diversity. Giving one language special national status could be interpreted by speakers of other languages as placing their own linguistic and cultural identities below that of the selected language.

Mr Ahiator’s position reflects that concern.

The wider conversation

The discussion also touches on the preservation and promotion of Ghanaian languages.

Article 39 of the 1992 Constitution requires the State to foster the development of Ghanaian languages and promote pride in Ghanaian culture. 

The challenge is therefore how Ghana can strengthen indigenous languages without creating a hierarchy among the country’s linguistic communities.

The current debate has already generated strong reactions, particularly online, with some Ghanaians arguing that Akan’s widespread use makes it a natural candidate for greater national recognition, while others insist that no single indigenous language should be elevated above the rest.

For now, the Bureau of Ghana Languages’ position is that Ghana should not adopt one indigenous language as its national language.

The debate is likely to continue as policymakers, linguists, traditional authorities and the public consider how Ghana can preserve its linguistic diversity while improving the use of indigenous languages in education, governance and public communication.

Nana Kwaku Bonsam Claims 5,236 Pastors Are Under His Influence

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

Ghanaian traditional spiritualist Nana Kwaku Bonsam is being widely discussed following a claim attributed to him that he has 5,236 pastors, or “men of God,” under his influence.

A graphic circulating online attributes the statement to Nana Kwaku Bonsam and quotes him as saying he has given the pastors the “power to work.”

However, GhanaMedia.net has not independently verified the authenticity, date or original source of the specific 5,236 figure contained in the circulating graphic.

The claim is nevertheless consistent with previous public statements attributed to Nana Kwaku Bonsam concerning his alleged relationships with Christian ministers.

Similar claims have been made before

In a 2021 report, YEN.com.gh reported that Kwaku Bonsam claimed to have 4,932 pastors under his power, saying they came from different countries to seek spiritual powers to operate their churches. 

A 2019 report by GhPage similarly quoted him as saying that more than 4,000 pastors or prophets performed miracles with powers he had provided. 

Earlier reports from 2016 and 2017 carried a lower figure of more than 1,700 pastors and men of God whom Bonsam claimed to have assisted with spiritual powers. 

In a 2008 interview published by Daily Guide and reproduced by MyJoyOnline, Bonsam also claimed that he had given more than 1,000 men of God powers to perform miracles. 

These historical reports establish that Bonsam has repeatedly made claims about providing spiritual assistance or powers to pastors. They do not independently establish the accuracy of the latest 5,236 figure.

A controversial claim

The allegations have historically generated controversy because they challenge the distinction between traditional spiritual practices and Christian ministry.

Bonsam has previously claimed that pastors approached him for powers relating to healing, prophecy and other purported supernatural abilities. Those claims have been reported as his own statements rather than independently established facts. 

The latest graphic does not identify the pastors allegedly involved, nor does it provide evidence supporting the claim that 5,236 pastors are currently under his influence.

GhanaMedia.net therefore considers the 5,236 figure an allegation attributed to Nana Kwaku Bonsam, rather than an independently verified fact.

The development is likely to renew public discussion about the relationship between traditional spirituality, Christianity and claims of supernatural power in Ghana.

GhanaMedia.net will update this report if the original interview or a credible primary source for the 5,236 figure becomes available.

Niger Arrests Dozens After Failed Coup Attempt as Mutinous Soldiers Are Detained

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

Nigerian authorities have arrested or killed dozens of soldiers following a failed mutiny in Niamey on August 29, 2026, after armed troops attacked strategic locations including the airport and areas around the presidential palace. 

The unrest was one of the most serious internal challenges to General Abdourahamane Tiani’s military government since he seized power in July 2023.

The confrontation centred on Air Base 101, located within Diori Hamani International Airport. Mutinous soldiers reportedly took colleagues hostage and exchanged gunfire with loyalist forces. They also attempted to target the presidential area and state broadcaster, whose broadcasts were temporarily disrupted. 

Defence Minister General Salifou Mody said security forces were gradually restoring control. By August 30, authorities had regained control of Base 101 and other affected areas, with normal activity returning to Niamey.

Dozens detained or killed

State television showed footage of dozens of detained soldiers. The Associated Press reported that dozens were killed or arrested, but the exact number detained remains unclear. 

Some social-media posts accompanying images of the soldiers claim the detainees are awaiting execution by firing squad if convicted by a military tribunal.

GhanaMedia.net has found no credible independent confirmation that the soldiers have been sentenced to death or are awaiting execution. Authorities had not publicly disclosed charges against the detainees, according to AP. 

GhanaMedia.net therefore does not present the execution claim as established fact.

Russian support and growing pressure

Russia’s Africa Corps reportedly provided aerial and ground support to Nigerien forces during the confrontation, according to Russian officials, analysts and diplomats cited by AP. 

The mutiny reportedly involved young soldiers frustrated by deteriorating security conditions and heavy military losses in Niger’s fight against militant groups. 

The development raises fresh questions about morale and cohesion within Niger’s armed forces, particularly as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso deepen security ties with Russia while facing persistent jihadist violence.

The identities, roles and possible charges of those detained remain subject to official clarification.

GhanaMedia.net will continue to follow developments surrounding the detained soldiers and any official announcement on their legal proceedings.

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